Heavy Armor at AUSA 2007

A version of the
US Army TUSK upgrade kit for the M-1A2 was on display at AUSA
2007. This version is fitted with two Remote Weapon Stations
and a second coax machine gun, mounted over the main 120mm gun.
To further improve the tank's performance in asymmetric warfare
GD ATP introduced two types of ammunition for the main gun –
the M-1028 Canister round and a high explosive round, coproduced
with Nammo. (more...)

The M-1028 Canister round is providing effective
anti-personnel capability for the Abrams tank. This ammunition
is uniquely effective at very short range, as it discharges
massive blast of tungsten ball fragments at the muzzle exit,
effective up to a range of 500 meters. The canister round weighs
50.5 pounds (22.9 kg) which is about half the weight of the
Flechette that uses small darts, effective at a longer range.
Another round being introduced for the 120mm cannon is the 120mm
high explosive (IM-HE-T), improving the tank's performance in
direct fire support. This cartridge weighs 25 kg, and packs
over twice the explosive weight, compared to standard High Explosive
Anti-Tank (HEAT) rounds. The projectile weighs 16 kg and contains
3.2 kg of Insensitive-Munition (IM) type high explosive contained
in a fragmenting shell body, triggered by a Point Detonating
(PD) or delay fuse, ensuring target penetration. ATP is offering
this round based on its cooperation with Nammo.

General Dynamics Land Systems introduced a major upgrade for
the Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) design, which could be implemented
as a mid-life upgrade for US Army Stryker as well as LAV 3s,
currently operational with the US Marine Corps and the armies
of Canada and New Zealand. The upgrade designated 'LAV-H', is
proposed to be undertaken as part of major post-combat reset
reconditioning. Under the process, the vehicle's automotive
and power plant systems will be upgraded to support a 25% Gross
Vehicle Weight increase from the current 42,000 to 55,000 lbs.
(25 tons). The vehicle's curb weight will be 29,000 lbs (13.2
tons). As part of such upgrade, GDLS intends to install a Caterpillar
C7 engine and Allison 3200SP transmission.

Addressing
the growing demand for on-board power, a new 500 Amp alternator
will be installed, coupled with an expandable and scalable solid-state
power distribution and control system. An optional Lithium-ion
battery pack could nearly double electrical power storage capacity
on board, with the same space claim as the standard vehicle
battery pack. The crew will be able to exhaust nearly all battery
power without having engine restart failures, relying on the
24V Capacitive Start System offering power reserve for the engine
starter, independent of the main battery. The vehicle was demonstrated
at AUSA 2007 with a Protector Weapon station mounting a heavy
machine gun and a Javelin missile launcher.

The upgrade also includes a significant increase
in protection, with the introduction of enhanced belly protection,
hull modifications include reshaped V profile for improved blast
resistance. Externally, large appliqué armor modules
and redesigned hatches are introduced, improving protection
and minimizing vulnerability, caused at the seams between armor
modules. Externally and internally, the vehicle has better protection
against IEDs, for example, with the introduction of blasts absorbing
mine resistant seats (or benches).

General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada delivered
the first LAV-A2 to the US Marine Corps, The A2 is an updated
version of the Marines' Light Armored Vehicle series, which
has been in use since the 1980s. In February 2006 GDLS Canada
was awarded a contract to upgrade 157 LAVs in six variants,
into A2 version. These variants included LAV-25, anti-tank,
command & control, logistics, mortar and Nuclear, Biological
and Chemical Reconnaissance System (NBCRS). The upgraded vehicles
are fitted with an improved suspension, and are readied to receive
enhanced armor protection. New safety precautions include an
automatic fire suppression system for crew protection.

BAE
Systems Hagglunds introduced their SEP 8x8 vehicle at AUSA 2007.
This platform is a larger version of the wheeled SEP 6x6 developed
as the 'next generation military vehicle system' program funded
by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). According
to BAE Hagglunds plans, SEP 8x8 could be available for delivery
by 2011. SEP is built on a modular platform, enabling growth
potential and adaptation to a wide range of applications. Unlike
the 6x6 version, SEP 8x8 uses mechanical transmission, designed
to meet FRES requirements. Other SEP family vehicles use electronic
transmission. SEP 8x8 was configured as a wheeled armored vehicle
with a full combat weight of 24 – 27 tons (curb weight
in an APC version is 14.5 tons). This version was originally
designed by BAE Systems Hagglunds, competing with the Piranha
V, Boxer and VBCI for the British FRES program, but eventually
dropped after trials.

BAE
Systems displayed its new aluminum-based L-ROD bar armor at
AUSA, shown on an RG-33 vehicle. The company was recently awarded
a $15.5 million contract to provide these lightweight bar-armor
kits for 215 Route Clearance Vehicles operated by the U.S. Army.
Under the contract from the Army’s Tank-automotive Armaments
Command, BAE Systems will equip RG31 and Cougar vehicles with
its L-ROD aluminum armor, used widely on Army Buffalo ordnance
disposal vehicles. L-ROD is standard equipment on the Army Buffalo
explosive ordnance disposal vehicle. BAE Systems has delivered
more than 100 L-ROD kits to the Army, with additional kits slated
for the Marine Corps’ Buffalo vehicles. The company also
is completing L-ROD designs for BAE Systems’ Caiman II
and RG33-series mine-protected vehicles.

Saab Barracuda highlighted its Heat Transfer
Reduction HTR material, originally used to diminish the vehicle's
visual and thermal signature, HTR pragmatically reduces the
temperatures inside the vehicles, resulting in less fatigue
on warfighters and improve durability and reliability of electronic
equipment. A positive side effect is the lesser need for air-conditioning,
further impacting power and fuel consumption. Saab Barracuda
is currently promoting HTR in the US, after delivering thousands
of systems to military users in Australia, Canada, France, Italy,
Sweden, UAE and the UK.